The Los Angeles Clippers disappointed in the 2014 Western Conference Playoffs by falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but they look to be on the right path moving forward. Part of continuing down the right path will be determined by their success in the 2014 NBA Draft.

The Clippers select just once in the 2014 NBA Draft, but it’s a crucial selection. The Clips just started meshing since the arrival of Chris Paul from the former New Orleans Hornets and look to be headed in the right direction. However, Doc Rivers’ team needs depth desperately.

With the No. 28 overall selection, the Clippers should go with what they need most – a competent backup to relieve some of the pressure off of DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin. With very few top centers available in the draft, they will likely have to go with a center/power forward combo-player. Since so many talented power forwards/center combo-players are available in this draft, don’t be surprised if the team trades down for a player like Johnny O’Bryant III.

In his time with the LSU Tigers, O’Bryant dominated some extremely talented opposition in players like expected top-five pick Julius Randle and the No. 1 overall draft pick from last year, Anthony Davis. A young player with a lot of room for improvement, he’s a rebounding machine who is also an extremely talented scorer. One of the most underrated players in college basketball, O’Bryant could come into this Clippers side as a rookie and get very valuable minutes off the bench thanks to his rebounding and defensive abilities.

The Clippers need a long-term solution to the problem of winning games while giving Griffin and Jordan rest; O’Bryant will be that long-term solution.